TriMet's MAX Green Line in
Portland, Ore., opened to the public on Saturday, September 12 and reached a
major milestone of connecting all three counties by light rail. TriMet's fifth
MAX line extends from downtown Portland to Clackamas County. More than 40,000
trips were taken on the new Green Line on opening day.

Construction of the
8.3-mile line began in early 2007 and adds a second light rail alignment
through downtown Portland along 5th and 6th avenues between Union Station and
Portland State University, and new tracks along I-205 to Clackamas Town Center.

The project was built on
time and on budget. The MAX system now expands to a 52-mile system with 84
stations.

"Whenever we open a
new MAX line, we see it serve as a multiplier," said TriMet General
Manager Fred Hansen. "Ridership throughout the entire system increases as
more people are connected to more places. This project could not have happened
without our local, state and federal partners, who continue to invest in the
mobility and livability of our region."

U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer
and Kurt Schrader attended opening ceremonies, and congratulated the region on
providing more sustainable transportation choices.

The $575.7-million project
was built with 60 percent federal funds, and the balance funded by the city of
Portland, Metro, TriMet, Clackamas County and the Oregon Department of
Transportation.

"The Green Line
project not only embodies the President's agenda for livability, it embodies
President Obama's agenda for economic recovery," said FTA Administrator Peter
Rogoff. "Portland continues to show us the way when it comes to deploying
well developed projects with wide public support-and getting them done on time
and on budget."

Part of the project
included revitalizing the downtown Portland Transit Mall with new art, shelters
and a more vibrant retail environment. The city of Portland and TriMet are also
creating a fund for ongoing maintenance, security and programming activities on
the Mall.

Much of the Green Line
along I-205 was built in an existing transitway that was built when the
adjacent I-205 freeway was being built back in the 1970s.

"We are thrilled to
welcome light rail to Clackamas County, and we invite people from throughout
the region to ride the Green Line to experience all the County has to
offer," said Lynn Peterson, Chair of the Clackamas County Board of
Commissioners."Light rail is
an integral part of our efforts to expand the county's transportation choices,
as is the improved multi-purpose path along the Green Line which provides
people with even more opportunities to enjoy the beauty and amenities of
Clackamas County."

MAX Green Line service
started regular scheduled service on Sunday, September 13. Trains run every 15
minutes most hours, and every 30 minutes in the early morning and late
evenings.